Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

A molded applicator is provided. The applicator includes a molded core having a number of application elements provided thereon. The molded core has a number of troughs and crests disposed in an alternate manner with respect to each other on two opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the applicator. Further, the applicator head includes a number of application elements provided on a surface of each of the troughs and the crests on the molded core.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of Indian Provisional Application Ser.No. 2309/DEL/2014, filed Aug. 13, 2014, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an applicator.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a molded core of anapplicator head of the applicator. The applicator of the presentdisclosure may be used for applying cosmetic or care products includingviscous cosmetics, mascara, eye liner, lip gloss, hair color, woundcare, pharmaceutical and like products.

2. Description of the Related Art

Numerous kinds of cosmetic and care products are available in the markettoday. Some such cosmetic products include mascara, lip gloss, eye lineror the like products which are fluidic in nature.

Applicators for applying these cosmetic products are known to be eithermolded or twisted. Conventionally, such applicators include a stem, atone end of which is connected an applicator head. The other end of thestem is provided with a gripping member. Cosmetic applicator such as amascara applicator deposits and distributes the product i.e. the mascaraall over the lashes. As mascara, is a product that is difficult to applybecause of the sensitive target area of application, it is desirablethat no clumping of product occurs and the lashes are separated andcombed evenly. However, all the desired effects are not possible with asingle mascara brush. This is because the eyelashes are soft, flexible,delicate and in close proximity to very sensitive eye tissue. Further, auser may also require twisting and/or turning his/her hands in aparticular manner to achieve a particular desired effect, such ascurling on the lashes and not all users are adept in being able togradually twist their wrist along with the outward stroke of applicationon the lashes.

However, there is still much scope for having a single applicator whichwould provide both of the improved application of the cosmetic productto the eyelashes and desired effects such as curling of the eyelash.Also, it is desired to have an applicator which is easy to manufactureand cost effective at the same time.

SUMMARY

According to an example of the present disclosure, an applicator isprovided. The applicator of the present disclosure may be used forapplying cosmetic or care products including viscous cosmetics, mascara,eye liner, lip gloss, hair color, wound care, pharmaceutical and likeproducts. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applicator isa mascara applicator for applying mascara to the eyelashes and/oreyebrows. The applicator includes a molded contoured core having anumber of application elements provided thereon. The contoured core hasa number of troughs and crests disposed in an alternate manner withrespect to each other on two opposite sides of a longitudinal axis ofthe applicator. Further, the applicator includes a number of applicationelements provided on a surface of each of the troughs and the crests onthe contoured core.

According to another example of the present disclosure, an applicator isprovided. The applicator includes a stem having a proximal end and adistal end. The stem extends along a longitudinal axis of theapplicator. An applicator head is disposed at the distal end of thestem.

The applicator head includes a molded contoured core disposed axiallyalong the longitudinal axis of the applicator. It would not be beyondthe scope of the present disclosure if the core is curved or makes anangle along the longitudinal axis of the applicator. The contoured corehas a number of faces. In one example, the contoured core has at leastfour faces. The core includes a number of troughs and crests disposed ona first face and a second face. The second face is opposite to the firstface of the core. The troughs are disposed alternately on the first faceand the second face of the core. Further, the troughs are disposed suchthat they do not intersect the longitudinal axis. The crests are furtherdisposed alternately with respect to the troughs on the first face aswell as on the second face. The crests are disposed such that each ofthe troughs on the first face and the second face has a correspondingcrest on the second face and the first face respectively. Further, eachof the crests extends along the width of the respective first face andthe second face of the core. Length of each of the crests is equal towidth of the respective first face and the second face of the core ofthe applicator. Furthermore, each of the crests has at least one flattop surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of theapplicator and wherein the flat top surface has at least four sidescomprising a first side opposite and equal in length to a second sideand a third side opposite and equal in length to a fourth side. Thefirst side is longer in length to the third side and the first side isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator and the thirdside is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

A number of application elements are disposed on surface of each of thetroughs and the crests on the first face and the second face of thecore.

Further, the core has a third face and a fourth face which may or maynot have application elements. The third face and the fourth face areopposite to each other.

Further, the application elements on at least one of the four faces ofthe core are disposed in parallel rows and extend in paralleldirections.

According to an example of the present disclosure, the applicationelements are selected from the group consisting of tines, bristles,teeth and flock.

According to an example of the present disclosure, the applicatorcomprises at least two rows of the tines and wherein the tines of thetwo rows are disposed in an alternating manner on the surfaces of thetroughs and the crests of the core.

According to an example of the present disclosure, the tines are ofequal size, i.e. equal length, width and thickness. Therefore, free endsof the tines form an envelope replicating the contour of the core.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cross sectionalshape of the core of the applicator head has a major axis and a minoraxis. The minor axis and the major axis are perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis. The minor axis is of smaller length as compared tothe major axis. The cross-section of the core may be elliptical in shapewhich has a major axis and a minor axis smaller than the major axis. Invarious embodiments, the cross sectional shape of the core may be arectangle, a polygon, etc.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided apackaging device for applying a composition comprising an applicator ofthe type described above and a receptacle containing a compositionwherein the gripping member of the applicator may function as a closureof the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an applicator according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary core of the applicator ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the applicator of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 a is a front view of a portion of the applicator of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 b is a rear view of a portion of the applicator of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the core of FIG. 2.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawingsillustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admitto other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An applicator (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. The applicator (100) may be used to apply acosmetic or care product including viscous cosmetics, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, hair color, wound care, pharmaceutical and likeproducts. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, theapplicator (100) is a mascara applicator for applying mascara toeyelashes and/or eyebrows. In various other embodiments, the applicator(100) may be a lip applicator, a face exfoliator, an applicator forapplying pharmaceutical composition etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator (100) includes a stem (102), agripping member (104), such as a handle, hereinafter referred to as thehandle (104) and an applicator head (106). Further, the applicator (100)extends along a longitudinal axis I-I′. In an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the stem (102), and the handle (104) may besubstantially rigid members, whereas the applicator head (106) may be asubstantially flexible member of the applicator (100). It may becontemplated that some or all parts, i.e., the stem (102), the handle(104) and the applicator head (106) of the applicator (100) may bemanufactured separately and may be modularly assembled together to formthe applicator (100).

The stem (102) has a proximal end (108) and a distal end (110). Thehandle (104) may be attached to the proximal end (108) of the stem(102). In various embodiments, the proximal end (108) of the stem (102)may be attached to the handle (104) by using any type of lockingmechanism known in the art, such as snap fit locking mechanism, threadedlocking mechanism, etc. In another embodiment, the stem (102) and thehandle (104) may be molded together as a single component of theapplicator (100).

Further, the handle (104) may be detachably attached to a receptacle(not shown) of the cosmetic product to form a packaging device (notshown) for the cosmetic or care product. In various embodiments, thehandle (104) may be attached to the receptacle by any type of knownlocking mechanisms, such as snap fit locking mechanism, threaded lockingmechanism, etc.

Further, the applicator head (106) is disposed at the distal end (110)of the stem (102). The applicator head (106) extends longitudinallyalong the longitudinal axis I-I′ of the applicator (100). As shown inFIG. 1, the applicator head (106) includes a core (112) and a number ofapplication elements (114) provided on the core (112). The applicatorhead (106) is further explained in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the core (112) without applicationelements (114), of the applicator head (106) of the applicator (100),according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment,the core (112) is a contoured core which is non-circular or polygonal.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, asshown in FIG. 5, the core (112) at the top is elliptical in shape whichhas a major axis (116) and a minor axis (118) smaller than the majoraxis (116). In various embodiments, the cross sectional shape of thecore (112) has a major axis and a minor axis smaller than the major axisi.e. the cross sectional shape does not have two adjacent sides equal toeach other. In various embodiments, the cross sectional shape of thecore (112) may be a rectangle, a polygon, etc., where the shape does nothave two adjacent sides equal to each other. In an exemplary embodiment,the core (112) has an elliptical shape throughout the length of the core(112). In an alternate embodiment, the core (112) may have a squarecross section.

As shown in FIG. 1, the core (112) has a plurality of faces i.e a firstface (120), a second face (122) a third face (124) and a fourth face(126). Since the second face (122) is opposite to the first face (120)and the fourth face (126) is opposite to the third face (124),therefore, the second face (122) and the fourth face (126) are notvisible.

In an exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 1-4 b, the core (112)includes a number of troughs (128) disposed alternately towards each ofthe first face (120) and the second face (122). Each of the troughs(128) is disposed such that the troughs (128) do not intersect thelongitudinal axis I-I′ at any point along the length of the core (112).

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, thecore (112) includes a number of crests (130) disposed alternately withrespect to the troughs (128) on each of the first face (120) and thesecond face (122) of the core (112). According to a preferred embodimentof the present disclosure, the core (112) has a plurality of alternatingtroughs (128) and crests (130) of uniform height, continuouslyundulating in a longitudinal direction of the core (112) and thesetroughs (128) and the crests (130) extend in the transverse direction ofthe core (112). In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2,each of the troughs (128) on the first face (120) has a correspondingcrest (130) on the second face (122) of the core (112) and vice versa.The troughs (128) are configured to act as a reservoir for holding thecosmetic or care product during application of the cosmetic or careproduct. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 4 a, each of the crests (130)includes a flat top surface (132) substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis (I-I′). Further, the flat top surface (132) having atleast four sides comprising a first side (132 a) opposite and equal inlength to a second side (132 b) and a third side (132 c) opposite andequal in length to a fourth side (132 d) and wherein the first side (132a) is longer in length to the third side (132 c). The first side (132 a)is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis I-I′ of the applicator head(106) and the third side (132 c) is parallel to the longitudinal axisI-I′.

Furthermore, the applicator head (106) includes application elements(114) for holding and discharging cosmetic or care product, disposed onthe core (112). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,the application elements (114) are disposed on at least one of the fourfaces of the core (112) in parallel rows and extend in paralleldirections. Examples of the application elements (114) for holding anddischarging the cosmetic product include tines, bristles, projections,indentations and flocked surfaces disposed on the core (112). In thepresent embodiment, the means for holding and discharging cosmetic orcare product includes the application elements (114) such as the tines,hereinafter referred to as the tines (114) disposed on the surfaces ofthe troughs (128) and the crests (130) provided on the first face (120)and the second face (122) of the core (112). For example, the tines(114) extend perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis I-I′ of thecore (112). Also, the tines (114) extend perpendicularly away from themajor axis (116) of the core (112).

In an exemplary embodiment, the applicator 100 comprises at least tworows of the tines (114). The tines (114) of the two rows are disposed inan alternating manner on the surfaces of the troughs (128) and thecrests (130) of the core (112). The alternate positioning of the tines(114) provides a better separation of the eyelashes during theapplication of the cosmetic product and therefore a uniform applicationof the cosmetic product. Additionally, the troughs (128) are configuredto catch the eyelashes to provide more amount of the cosmetic product tobe applied to the eyelashes.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the tines (114)are of equal size, i.e. equal length, width and thickness. Therefore, byvirtue of their placement in the troughs (128) and the crests (130),free ends of the tines (114) form an envelope (134) replicating thecontour of the core (112), as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the envelope(134) may also include a number of troughs and crests disposedalternately as in the contour of the core (112) explained above.

Further, third face (124) and fourth face (126) is free of applicationelements or tines (114).

FIGS. 1 to 5, show the applicator head (106) having the core (112) andthe tines (114) molded together and attached to the distal end (110) ofthe stem (102).

It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of theprinciples of the disclosure, and that various modifications can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosure. For example, the shapes and/or sizes of variouscomponents can be different from the shapes and sizes shown herein. Asanother example, the materials used for various components can bedifferent from those mentioned specifically herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic or careproduct to eyelashes and/or eyebrows comprising: a stem having aproximal end and a distal end; a handle attached at the proximal end ofthe stem and an applicator head attached at the distal end of the stem;wherein the applicator head extends along a longitudinal axis; whereinthe applicator head comprises a molded core and a plurality ofapplication elements are provided on the molded core; wherein the moldedcore comprises at least four faces including a first face, a secondface, a third face and a fourth face; wherein the second face isopposite to the first face and the fourth face is opposite to the thirdface; wherein the molded core comprises a plurality of troughs disposedalternately on the first face and the second face; wherein the moldedcore includes a plurality of crests disposed alternately with respect tothe plurality of troughs on each of the first face and the second face;wherein each of the plurality of troughs on the first face has acorresponding crest on the second face of the molded core and viceversa; wherein each of the plurality of troughs and the plurality ofcrests extend in the molded core in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis; wherein each of the plurality of crests includes aflat top surface having at least four sides comprising a first sideopposite and equal in length to a second side, and a third side oppositeand equal in length to a fourth side; wherein the first side is longerin length as compared to length of the third side; and wherein the firstside is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator headand the third side is parallel to the longitudinal axis of theapplicator head.
 2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein each ofthe plurality of troughs is disposed such that the plurality of troughsdoes not intersect the longitudinal axis at any point along a length ofthe molded core.
 3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of application elements extend perpendicularly away from thelongitudinal axis of the applicator head.
 4. The applicator according toclaim 1, wherein the applicator head comprises at least two rows ofapplication elements disposed in an alternating manner on the moldedcore.
 5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofapplication elements are selected from a group consisting of tines,bristles, projections, indentations and flocked surfaces.
 6. Theapplicator according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of applicationelements are disposed on the plurality of troughs and the plurality ofcrests.
 7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of at leastone adjacent crest and trough on the first face and the second face ofthe core comprises at least six application elements.
 8. The applicatoraccording to claim 7, wherein the at least six application elements onthe at least one adjacent crest and trough are of equal length.
 9. Theapplicator according to claim 1, wherein free ends of the plurality ofapplication elements form an envelope replicating contour of the moldedcore.
 10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofapplication elements on at least one of the at least four faces of themolded core are disposed in parallel rows and extend in paralleldirections.
 11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the thirdface and the fourth face are free of application elements.
 12. Anapplicator for applying a cosmetic or care product to eyelashes and/oreyebrows comprising: a stem having a proximal end and a distal end; ahandle attached at the proximal end of the stem and an applicator headattached at the distal end of the stem; wherein the applicator headcomprises a molded core and a plurality of application elements areprovided on the molded core; wherein the molded core comprises at leastfour faces including a first face, a second face, a third face and afourth face; wherein the second face is opposite to the first face andthe fourth face is opposite to the third face; wherein the molded corecomprises a plurality of troughs disposed alternately on the first faceand the second face; wherein the molded core includes a plurality ofcrests disposed alternately with respect to the plurality troughs oneach of the first face and the second face of the molded core; whereineach of the plurality of troughs on the first face has a correspondingcrest on the second face of the molded core and vice versa; wherein theplurality of troughs and the plurality of crests undulate in alongitudinal direction of the molded core; wherein the plurality oftroughs and the plurality of crests extend in transverse direction ofthe molded core; wherein the plurality of application elements aredisposed on the first face and the second face; wherein the third faceand the fourth face are free of application elements.
 13. The applicatoraccording to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of troughs isdisposed on the molded core such that the plurality of troughs does notintersect a central longitudinal axis of the molded core at any pointalong a length of the molded core.
 14. The applicator according to claim12, wherein the plurality of application elements extend perpendicularlyaway from a longitudinal axis of the applicator head.
 15. The applicatoraccording to claim 12, wherein width of the first face is equal to widthof the second face and width of the third face is equal to width of thefourth face; and wherein width of the first face is more than the widthof the third face.
 16. The applicator according to claim 12, whereineach of at least one adjacent crest and trough on each of the first faceand the second face of the core comprises at least six applicationelements.
 17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the at leastsix application elements on each of the at least one adjacent crest andtrough are of equal length.
 18. The applicator according to claim 12,wherein the plurality of application elements on at least one of the atleast four faces of the molded core are disposed in parallel rows andextend in parallel directions.
 19. An applicator for applying a cosmeticor care product to eyelashes and/or eyebrows comprising: a stem having aproximal end and a distal end; a handle attached at the proximal end ofthe stem and an applicator head attached at the distal end of the stem;wherein the applicator head extends along a longitudinal axis; whereinthe applicator head comprises a molded core and a plurality ofapplication elements are provided on the molded core; wherein the moldedcore comprises at least four faces including a first face, a secondface, a third face and a fourth face; wherein the second face isopposite to the first face and the fourth face is opposite to the thirdface; wherein width of the first face is equal to width of the secondface and width of the third face is equal to width of the fourth face;wherein width of the first face is more than the width of the thirdface; wherein the molded core comprises a plurality of troughs disposedalternately on the first face and the second face; wherein the moldedcore includes a plurality of crests disposed alternately with respect tothe plurality troughs on each of the first face and the second face ofthe molded core; and wherein each of the plurality of troughs on thefirst face has a corresponding crest on the second face of the moldedcore and vice versa; wherein the plurality of troughs and the pluralityof crests undulate in a longitudinal direction of the molded core; andwherein the plurality of troughs and the plurality of crests extend inthe molded core in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.20. The applicator according to claim 19, wherein each of the pluralityof crests includes a flat top surface having at least four sidescomprising a first side opposite and equal in length to a second side,and a third side opposite and equal in length to a fourth side; andwherein the first side is longer in length as compared to length of thethird side.